Spotlight on Success
Each of our Jumpstart clients has a unique story — professionally and personally — involving trials and tribulations, celebrations, and successes.
Our Spotlight series shines a light on the ways that refugee talent has accessed our services, and how this has ultimately uplifted them in their career journey to benefit workplaces, communities, and homes around the country.
It may have taken Walid Ahmad Sediqi a long time to get to Canada from his home country of Afghanistan, after the government collapsed in August 2021, but once he arrived, it didn’t take him long to find a job in his field.
When Walid first arrived in Canada, in July 2023, it was after more than two years since he left Afghanistan where he had worked for a decade as a lead mechanical engineer with numerous certifications and achievements to his name. Between his home country and his new host country, Walid lived in Russia and countless countries in South and Central America, followed by Mexico and the United States. To say he was eager to settle down and find a job in Canada is an understatement. But that journey to find a job – especially when you are a refugee and particularly from a country at war where it may be next to impossible to get your professional or academic credentials — can be years in the making.
“I feel extremely lucky to have found a job with Angus Consulting Management Ltd (ACML),” says Walid from his new home city of Vancouver, B.C. “It’s been a very good experience for me so far as I have lots of new trainings.”
Walid was hired as a mechanical engineer with Angus Consulting Management Ltd (ACML), one of Canada’s leading providers of customized operations and maintenance solutions across multiple sectors. Today, he works as a building operator in the field – a job that aligns with his professional and academic experience, while providing regular development opportunities.
“I heard of this job thanks to Jumpstart,” says Walid, who first contacted Jumpstart after googling employment opportunities for refugees at the local Vancouver library. “I registered with Jumpstart, then it all happened very quickly. They were so nice and responsive in the entire process.”
Only weeks after applying for his work permit, Walid was contacted by Jumpstart with an employment opportunity. Within a month, he was hired and on the job.
“There are many differences between working here and working back in my home country,” says Walid. “From the advanced technology at work to the unique people and culture. Adapting to these changes has made me see things in a new way and appreciate this new job more. Working at ACML has been awesome, they’ve been super supportive, and I’ve had chances to learn and grow. Every day, I’m picking up new skills that are setting me up well for my career here. I’m really glad I chose to start this journey.”
Walid’s future plans are to become a certified engineer in Canada, and then to move towards more managerial positions. He also has his eyes set on an ultimate dream.
“One day I’d like to work for myself as a mechanical engineer,” says Walid. “For now, I am very happy with my job, but I’m sure one day I will switch my goal. Canada is a land of opportunity for me, and I am looking forward to achieving my dreams here. I am committed to working hard and serving Canada, my new home, as my second homeland.”
Learn more about our Refugee Talent Hub Program, where we support newly settled refugees in overcoming hiring barriers and securing meaningful employment. We equally support employers so they can easily and efficiently source and recruit refugee talent.